BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 12/11/23  Thel Regular Meeting ofCouncil was held on Monday, December 11, 2023, at 7:00 PM, to bel held in the  Council Room, 125 S. Walnut Street, First Floor, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: Thomas Bartholomew: President of Council Recording Secretary: Daniel Stevens, Borough Manager/Secretary  The meeting was called to order by President Bartholomew at 7:00 PM with the following in attendance:  ROLL CALL: PRESENT Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias Joseph Weschler-via phone Ronald Kratz EXECUTIVE SESSION: None NOTIFICATION:  ABSENT  OTHERS PRESENT Lisa Young Jeralyn Schoch Greg Winokur Justin Gross Daniel Stevens  VISITORS  Jim Logue, Annmarie Tomaino Ron Hausman, Ryan Mayberry Krystall Borman, Robert Reph Robert Herzog, Ashley King Eric King, Robert Stettner Dave Schnaars, Naomi Winch Eugene Mayberry  President Bartholomew announced that all public sessions of Borough Council are electronically recorded and such recordings are maintained as part of the meeting record until the minutes are transcribed and MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve the following minutes with corrections Council Meetings November 13, 2023 correct entries after executive session from President Bartholomew to Vice President Reed; Committee Meetings - November 20, 2023 & ighwaySewer/Water November 27, 2023 - cancelled due to lack of quorum. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All inl Favor.  approved by the Board, at which time the recordings shall be erased.  SPECIALPRESENTATION:  A.F. Boyer Hardware presentation. The Boyer representative was not present.  Naomi Winch is the Brownie Troop leader for Troup 6365. Naomi resides at 1108 Main Street. Naomi thanked the Council and Mayor for their work for taking steps to deter smoke shops, tobacco shops and vape shops from opening in thel Borough of Slatington. The Brownie Troop had their picture taken with PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Agenda and Non-Agenda items) You will have three minutes to address Council from the podium. The three minutes applies to your time at the podium. Ifyou exit the podium, David Schnaars - 223 So. Walnut Street. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Dave Schnaars - Read letter from. John Bechtel regarding the police department. Mr. Bechtel's pharmacy had been broken in to and there were no police on duty att thati time. Mr. Bechtel gave a detailed discussion on the chain of events concerning the burglary. Mr. Bechtel is in support of hiring more police for the Slatington Police  Borough Council and the mayor.  you have yielded the floor, and any time you have remaining.  Department. 1    PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENIS,COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL: RESENIATIONS: Executive session on Monday, November 20, 2023, 6:50 PM, matters of personnel were  discussed.  APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TRANSFER  Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following  al Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLLCALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Weschler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias  NAYS  ABSTAIN  REPORTS  The reports of various committees, officials and officers were provided to Council and are on file in  Borough Hall and are available for public inspection. MAYORS/POLICE REMARKS  MayorJeralyn Schoch  Mayor Schoch attended the Tree Lighting Event and said it went very well.  ChiefGreg Winokur  Chief Winokur responded to Jack Bechtel's letter. He stated that the State Police that were on the scene did tell him that they could not do anything investigative wise, but that was a miscommunication. Chief Winokur spoke with PA State Police and there was ai miscommunication on their behalf. They still will not handle non-priority calls, but on priority calls they will be here to assist in any way possible. This issue has been rectified. ChiefWinokur stated the documentation for the new hire is completed and hei is hoping to swear him in next week. Chief Winokur was contacted by another person about a part-time  position.  STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway  Councilor Jeffrey Hausman  1. Update on Chestnut Alley paving project. (informational only) Councilor Hausman stated this 2. Update on Lutheran Church parking lot agreement (informational only) Councilor Reed gave 3. Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve purchase of shoring from Palmerton Borough for a cost of $5,600.00 using COVID19 LFRF. President Bartholomew declared the: motion passed following al Roll Call, voting as follows:  project is totally complete.  information to Solicitor Young to review.  ROLLCALL 2  AYES  NAYS  ABSTAIN    Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Weschler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias  B. Public Safety  Councilor Kevin Steckel Councilor Zachari Halkias  C. Human/Community Services  1. Commander Ronnie Humanick from Post 16 American Legion to propose Veterans Banners for  Main Street. Commander Humanick was noti in attendance.  D. Fimancrhamming/oning  Councilor Ronald Kratz  1. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve and advertise 2024 meeting schedule with one correction. President Bartholomew declared the  motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor.  2. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to authorize Borough Manager Stevens to approve Exemption Report from Statewide Tax Recovery Inc. for Delinquent Per Capita Tax for: Margaret Surdovel - Non-resident - $5.50; Kenneth Rabenold- Deceased $5.50; Jarred Scheffler - Non-resident $5.50 for a total of$16.50. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as  follows: ROLLCALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Weschler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias  NAYS  ABSTAIN  3. Discuss legality of possible ban on cannabis and strip clubs for Slatington Borough. Solicitor Lisa Young will provide guidance for termination of said vices as individually or as one collective item. Impact on Northern Lehigh Multimunicipal Zoning Plan. (executive session 4. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to adopt Ordinance No. 712 concerning amending the Codified Ordinances with additional zoning provisions regarding the use of tobacco store/smoke shop/vape shop. President Bartholomew declared the motion  discussion concerning legal)  passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows:  ROLL CALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Weschler  NAYS  ABSTAIN  3    Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias  5. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve 2021 draft audit, special reports of sewage treatment costs for Walnutport and Washington Township, and auditors' engagement letter. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll  Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Weschler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias  NAYS  ABSTAIN  6. Councilor Kratzi made ai motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to appoint Bryon Reed as a special representative on the N.L. Comp. Plan Zoning Committee for 2024. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a' Voice Vote, Alli in Favor. 7. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to make yearly donation tol Northern Valley Ambulance in the amount of $9,454.52. President Bartholomew declared the  motion passed following al Roll Call, voting as follows:  ROLL CALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Weschler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias  NAYS  ABSTAIN  8.  E. Sewer/Solid Waste  Councilor Joseph Wechsler  1. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to co-host shredding event with Zach Mako on October 5, 2024, at a cost to the Borough of $325.00. (half of total cost). President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as  follows: ROLL CALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Weschler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias  NAYS  ABSTAIN  4    2. Councilor Weschler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to accept revised Yard Waste Composting Agreement. New agreement will add the Borough of Walnutport and allow costs to be split 3-ways. (instead of the current 2-way split). President Bartholomew 3. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve appointment of new attorney for sewer permit renewal. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed  declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor.  following a Roll Call, voting as follows:  ROLL CALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Weschler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias  NAYS  ABSTAIN  4. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to transfer funds to pay the following Authority bills: December 11, 2023, Meeting Sewer Authority bills: Lisa Young $5.565.00; Tad Miller- $125.00; David L. Frederick - replenishment of petty cash fund $92.64; total $5,782.64. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting  as follows: ROLL CALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Weschler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias  NAYS  ABSTAIN  5. Councilor Wechsler made motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to pay Assistant Treasurer's Time and Travel Report for the period of September 11, 2023, to October 6, 2023; travel time 23 miles @ 65.5 cents = $15.07; October 23, 2023-2 23 miles @ 65.5 cents $15.07; December 11, 2023 - 23 miles @ 65.5 cents $15.07; Total mileage reimbursement $45.21; September 22, 2023 through December 11, 2023 - 15 hrs. @ $30.00 = $450.00. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following al Roll Call, voting as follows:  ROLLCALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Weschler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias  NAYS  ABSTAIN  F. Water/Special Sewer Committee  Councilor Bryon Reed  1. Water Test Statement- Water was tested and found safe for human consumption  5    2. Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to purchase a new line tracer for Water Department at a cost of $3,700.00. (to be billed in 2024). President Bartholomew declared thei motion passed following al Roll Call, voting as follows:  ROLLCALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Weschler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias  NAYS  ABSTAIN  3. Comprehensive controls upgrade Martz status update. Councilor Reed stated the basic time frame is on the first day will be the installation be on January 16 which will be the demolition of the Robert's Panel and the Autocon Panel in the filtration plant control room. On the second day, January 17 completion of the terminations and then start to run to make sure, on the third day trouble shooting any problems. Ifthere are: no other delays, by the middle of. January it will  be completed.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None INFORMATIONALITEMS: None NEW BUSINESS: None  COUNCIL RESIDENTSREPORT: None Council from the podium on Agenda Items Only.) Bartholomew, Bryon Reed, and. Joseph Wechsler.  Thomas Bartholomew  COURTESY OF THE FLOOR - (Agenda Items Only = You will have two (2) minutes to address Councilor Halkias wanted to thank our leaving council members for their service = Thomas EXECUTIVE SESSION: President Bartholomew recessed the meeting and they went to executive session at 7:40 PM. President Bartholomew left before the executive session. At 9:27 PM VP Reed reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel, real estate, and legal were discussed in executive session.  ADJOURNMENT  Being no further business, Councilor Hausman made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Halkias, to adjourn the meeting. President Reed declared the motion adjourned following a Voice Vote, Alli in Favor.  President Reed declared the meeting adjourned at 9:29] PM.  Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary  6